Latest news with #BetterOffFunding
Otago Daily Times
12 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Oamaru businesses get makeover
Three Oamaru businesses have had a makeover as part of a city-centre revitalisation project. Thames St businesses Soul, Surf & Skate, Spark and Morcomm Systems Ltd have had the top level of their two-storey building facades painted. The makeover is part of the Central Oamaru Masterplan, the fourth in five community-led projects aimed at revitalising the town centre. Waitaki District Council community and economic development manager Mel Jones said the project was about protecting the heritage of the buildings and to generate more foot traffic. "Each building has undergone careful restoration and received a fresh coat of paint, adding colour and energy to the street while remaining true to its historic roots. "It is about how can we get more interest and more people into the CBD," she said. Mrs Jones said the facade improvement project was due to the efforts of many business owners and the council team that included Virginia Barlow (VBA Ltd), Kristina Lowe (McBrimar), Laura Byars (National Group), and council officers David Campbell and Chloe Searle. "The collaborative project with building owners was developed on the go and was about how do we build trust and move forward together," Mrs Jones said. She said in the "tough economic climate" it made sense to work collaboratively with business owners to make the budget go further and to encourage co-operation. "It's great they can all work together with different ideals, but it all blends together." Funding for the project has come from a combination of contributions by building owners, $15,000 from the Waitaki Heritage Fund, and the government's Better Off Funding. The next phase of the Facade Improvement community-led project is the repair and restoration of the building verandas and the installation of new signs. The final cost of the project will be known upon completion, Mrs Jones said. Painter Peter Keogh has been working with the business owners to help paint and restore the facades, she said. The MorComm Systems Ltd building was originally designed in 1879 by architect Thomas Forrester as a store for bookseller James Cagney. MorComm building co-owner Shirley Morris said they had "wanted to restore their building for some time but there had always been other priorities". "Working with the project team has been great. we were able to bounce ideas off each other and collaborate on things like shared scaffolding, which made the work easier and more cost-effective for everyone," Mrs Morris said. The online community reaction to the project has been divided, with some questioning whether the government Better Off funding could have been better spent on more vital services such as water, while other Oamaru residents were more positive about the upgrade. "These buildings look stunning, well done to the business owners," one person posted. Another said "the paint job is world class". Mrs Jones hoped the project would inspire other heritage building owners to consider facade renovations. Three other projects have been completed to date as part of the CBD revitalisation initiative, the Underland Artscape Trail Moa murals at Oamaru Creek; the lower Thames St streetscape pilot and a Heritage Building forum.
Otago Daily Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Facades restored as Oamaru businesses get makeover
Three Oamaru businesses have had a makeover as part of a city-centre revitalisation project. Thames St businesses Soul, Surf & Skate, Spark and Morcomm Systems Ltd have had the top level of their two-storey building facades painted. The makeover is part of the Central Oamaru Masterplan, the fourth in five community-led projects aimed at revitalising the town centre. Waitaki District Council community and economic development manager Mel Jones said the project was about protecting the heritage of the buildings and to generate more foot traffic. "Each building has undergone careful restoration and received a fresh coat of paint, adding colour and energy to the street while remaining true to its historic roots. "It is about how can we get more interest and more people into the CBD," she said. Mrs Jones said the facade improvement project was due to the efforts of many business owners and the council team that included Virginia Barlow (VBA Ltd), Kristina Lowe (McBrimar), Laura Byars (National Group), and council officers David Campbell and Chloe Searle. "The collaborative project with building owners was developed on the go and was about how do we build trust and move forward together," Mrs Jones said. She said in the "tough economic climate" it made sense to work collaboratively with business owners to make the budget go further and to encourage co-operation. "It's great they can all work together with different ideals, but it all blends together." Funding for the project has come from a combination of contributions by building owners, $15,000 from the Waitaki Heritage Fund, and the government's Better Off Funding. The next phase of the Facade Improvement community-led project is the repair and restoration of the building verandas and the installation of new signs. The final cost of the project will be known upon completion, Mrs Jones said. Painter Peter Keogh has been working with the business owners to help paint and restore the facades, she said. The MorComm Systems Ltd building was originally designed in 1879 by architect Thomas Forrester as a store for bookseller James Cagney. MorComm building co-owner Shirley Morris said they had "wanted to restore their building for some time but there had always been other priorities". "Working with the project team has been great. we were able to bounce ideas off each other and collaborate on things like shared scaffolding, which made the work easier and more cost-effective for everyone," Mrs Morris said. The online community reaction to the project has been divided, with some questioning whether the government Better Off funding could have been better spent on more vital services such as water, while other Oamaru residents were more positive about the upgrade. "These buildings look stunning, well done to the business owners," one person posted. Another said "the paint job is world class". Mrs Jones hoped the project would inspire other heritage building owners to consider facade renovations. Three other projects have been completed to date as part of the CBD revitalisation initiative, the Underland Artscape Trail Moa murals at Oamaru Creek; the lower Thames St streetscape pilot and a Heritage Building forum.
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Ruapehu council launches review into $700,000 overspend
At a meeting on April 16, executive infrastructure manager Vini Dutra said the council's financial department had flagged the overspends previously and his 'team should have reacted quicker'. He said a lot of data had to be gathered to determine what needed to be done in the next few years in infrastructure 'To manage our reserves and understand the cost of tree work across the district, we did assessments that were meant to contribute to building that picture. 'Looking back, we should have been a lot more accurate with our [cost] projections, which, financially, have hurt us.' Council chief executive Clive Manley said at the time decisions were made, staff members expected to offset costs with savings in other areas, but that had not occurred. 'They didn't deliberately say 'We are going to spend an extra $700,000′," he said. The Taumarunui Aerodrome ($16,700) and the Sunshine Track Bridge Reinstatement ($24,700) had unscheduled maintenance, and $23,500 was spent to paint two public toilets in Taumarunui. There was an overspend of about $56,000 at the Taumarunui Walking Track, including $48,000 in track maintenance. The council report said that was mostly due to bringing the track project forward to utilise the Government's Better Off Funding, which required maintenance of new track areas. Kirton told the Chronicle the situation required cool heads, and a review of the overspend was underway. 'This couldn't have happened at a worse time, with waters bills coming in and other expenditures. 'Nevertheless, we will work through it and get on top of it.' He said while the overspends were not a good look, it was better to address them immediately, 'rather than have auditors crawling all over it'. 'Are we doing something about it? Yes. Did we know about it before this? No.' At the meeting, councillor Lyn Neeson said she was 'really disappointed in the structure that allowed this to happen'. 'I'm astounded there is this level of non-control.' Duntra said all consultancy work had been stopped for the rest of the financial year. Council chief financial officer Quentin Speers said to maintain a level of service for the community, any remaining overspend would have to be funded through debt. That would likely mean debt levels set for the council's 10-year (long-term) plan would be breached, he said. Kirton said the review had to be done in a fair and just way. 'It is worth remembering that the overspent funds have not gone missing or been misappropriated. 'The expenditure has been on valuable community assets, including the river walkway in Taumarunui and reserve maintenance across the district.'
Scoop
28-04-2025
- General
- Scoop
Accessibility And Inclusivity On The Menu For Lincoln Place Reserve Upgrade
Work has begun on stage one of the Levinable Project, which aims to make the Lincoln Place Reserve an accessible and inclusive space for people from all walks of life. On Monday 28 April, the site was blessed, marking the start of the construction phase of the project after five years of community-led planning. The first stage includes an accessible toilet block, paths, and fencing and is funded by a $340,000 bequest from the Zena Elsie Orr Memorial Trust and $80,000 of Better Off Funding from the Government allocated to the project by Horowhenua District Council. While further development of Levinable will be staged over time, the process to sell some of the park for universal design housing is under way. This is housing built in a way that is accessible to people with varying levels of mobility or at least able to be retrofitted to suit the accessibility needs of the occupier. In 2018, the IHC Foundation approved use of bequest funds from the Zena Elsie Orr Memorial Trust for this project. IHC, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and Fa'atili foe moe Le A'e - Pasifika for Tomorrow became the core partners and interviewed local whānau and parents, including tangata whaikaha and those with a diverse range of physical and neuro abilities. Community feedback showed many whānau and parents are struggling to manage daily life with tamariki with diverse needs, and they can feel isolated and alone. They wanted a safe, non-threatening, accessible, and inclusive outdoor space for their tamariki to play while they sat and relaxed – a place to create a feeling of community and belonging. The community-led ropu (group) approached Horowhenua District Council and Lincoln Place Reserve was identified as the preferred location for Levinable. This led to Council resolving in 2021 that 'Lincoln Place Reserve becomes a mixed option of reserve land, home to Levinable accessible playground, and medium density housing'. An area in the east of the reserve was identified for future housing which would look out toward Levinable across the park on the west side enhancing safety. Muaūpoko Tribal Authority chief executive officer Di Rump says MTA is proud and privileged to have been part of this special project and is committed to supporting its delivery. She says former Deputy Mayor Jo Mason and the families who took part in feedback hui deserve special thanks for their efforts. 'This will be an important universal facility for all whānau, tamariki, rangatahi, and kaumatua in our hapori,' she says. 'We remain very excited by this opportunity to work together to deliver great mutual outcomes, particularly contributing to the wellbeing of those members of our community who are often under-represented and underserved. This is the ultimate expression of partnership and of our values in action – as well as contributing to a more successful and thriving community for all.' The lead group are working together with MTA to identify a name that can be gifted to the playground. Horowhenua District Council Mayor Bernie Wanden says the Levinable project is a great example of different parts of the community coming together for a positive outcome. 'We're extremely pleased to see this project under way and I'm grateful for the work of everyone involved, including IHC, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, Fa'atili foe moe Le A'e - Pasifika for Tomorrow, and all the families who provided feedback when interviewed.' IHC inclusive communities manager Suzanne Downes says It is exciting to see a community-led project five years in the making finally come to life. 'It is testament to our strong passion and determination to create a natural environment playscape for local families, children, and residents to enjoy that we have relentlessly persevered with the Levinable project all these years.' The first stage of the project is expected to be completed in mid-to-late June. An area of the reserve will be fenced off, but members of the public can still access and walk through the rest of the reserve.
